Tuning-specific scale diagram

F Natural Minor (Aeolian) Scale in 8-String Drop E Tuning

F Natural Minor (Aeolian) Scale in 8-String Drop E Tuning shows the same f natural minor (aeolian) scale pitch classes across 8 strings tuned E B E A D G B E. The seventh and eighth strings extend the pattern into the lower register for wider-range riffs and chord voicings.

Scale notes: F, G, Ab, Bb, C, Db, Eb
Formula: 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7
Semitones: 0 2 3 5 7 8 10
Parent scale: Ab major
Tuning: E B E A D G B E
Strings: 8
Open pitch range: E1 to E4
24-fret range: E1 to E6

Open strings and root positions

1 of the 8 open strings belong to F Natural Minor (Aeolian) Scale: string 3 G (2). None of those open-string tones is the F root, so the root must be fretted on every string.

String 3G2

First root on each string

String 8Fret 1

String 7Fret 6

String 6Fret 1

String 5Fret 8

String 4Fret 3

String 3Fret 10

String 2Fret 6

String 1Fret 1

Low-string pattern

On the lowest E string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, and 11, with the F root at fret 1. On the highest E string, the first F is at fret 1.

Fret 1F1

Fret 3G2

Fret 4Abb3

Fret 6Bb4

Fret 8C5

Fret 9Dbb6

Fret 11Ebb7

Practice this tuning-specific layout

Play F Natural Minor (Aeolian) Scale on the low E string at frets 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, and 11, saying each note name and degree aloud.
Build a phrase that lets G on open string 3 ring, then connect it to the nearest F root and two other scale tones.
Connect the F root positions on strings 8 through 1 at frets 1, 6, 1, 8, 3, 10, 6, and 1, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.